Role of English Language in CSE Education

English language plays a very significant role in higher education, especially when it comes to teaching or studying a technical subject like computer science and engineering (CSE). Most of the textbooks, journals, coding languages, software documents, and online educational material of this subject are written in English. In other words, for students enrolled in CSE department in Bangladesh, studying this language is obligatory.
A number of CSE courses require knowledge of English, primarily because the vast majority of the material available on these courses is in English. The core courses for CSE are data structures, algorithms, operating systems, databases, and artificial intelligence. The majority of English-language textbooks for the aforementioned topics are written by foreign authors. Textbooks, such as “Introduction to algorithms” by Cormen and “Computer Networks” by Tanenbaum, can be found at every university across Bangladesh.
For a student to comprehend these books, it is important that he/she must be able to communicate fluently in English because even lecture notes, lab manuals, and assignment instructions are mostly written in English. A poor grasp of the English language can hamper the progress made by a learner as far as his/her studies are concerned.
It is important for one to note that programming is done in English. Some of the most common programming languages like Python, Java, C++ and JavaScript all rely heavily on English keywords. When writing programmes, students must comprehend errors, syntax and functions, which are all in English. In addition to this, comments that one makes in his/her codes are in English.

When it comes to documentation, everything that the students have to learn about is also done in English. This includes the official documentation of Python, GitHub and tutorials on how to create a web application using any language, among others. Students who do not know English face a huge challenge learning new technologies.
Today, much of CSE learning is conducted away from the classrooms. Websites like Coursera, edX, Udemy, YouTube, Stack Overflow, and Geeks for Geeks offer a tremendous amount of educational material. Most of it is offered in the English language only.
Once a student faces any issue while solving a code, he or she searches for the solution on the web. This information provided in Stack Overflow, Reddit, or a developer’s blog is available in English only. Therefore, if the student does not know how to read English, then he or she loses access to these helpful materials. However, a student, who is fluent in English, has access to everything via the web.
University-level education requires that computer science students produce reports for their lab experiments, proposal and research papers, and thesis. All of these are supposed  be written in formal English. The majority of students, especially those whose native language is not English, find it difficult to express themselves in writing.
Effective writing requires logical thought processes, proper organisation, and proper use of language. Writing skills enable the student to present his/her work effectively; this is necessary during the defence of the thesis, oral presentations, and project evaluation.
Moreover, many universities in Bangladesh require students to deliver their presentations in English, particularly in seminars and project presentations. This is because students who can present their work in English excel in such sessions.
The subject area of CSE has an international context. Software developers, engineers, and researchers from all across the globe share ideas in English. For example, if a student of CSE from Bangladesh wishes to join an international team, get a remote job, attend any international forum or participate in some sort of open-source contribution, then he should be fluent in the English language.
There are plenty of IT outsourcing companies based in Bangladesh whose customers belong to the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. All such correspondence takes place in English. So, the software developers fluent in speaking and writing in English have more chances to be considered valuable.
For a CSE student who wishes to continue his/her education outside Bangladesh, English is an entry point. Most universities across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe require prospective students to pass IELTS/TOEFL to verify their language skills. Without good English, one cannot prepare an SOP or CV effectively.
Similarly, many scholarships like the Commonwealth Scholarship, Fulbright Program, or DAAD also demand great English communication skills. The students of CSE from Bangladesh have greater chances of achieving success in securing scholarships and pursuing an academic career internationally if they excel in English.
English proficiency is another important skill that can come handy during interviews. Once hired by the companies, employees will send emails, hold meetings, and deal with foreign clients in English. The CSE students having mastery over English will find it easier to find jobs, promotions, and managerial positions.
Moreover, freelancing websites like Upwork and Fiverr provide freelancers with the opportunity to earn money globally. Freelancers from Bangladesh can do very well in the global market, but only if they have knowledge of the English language.
English is not just another foreign language to learn for CSE students in Bangladesh; it is a professional language for the future. This will enhance the ability of these students to learn, perform better academically, take part in international affairs, and have a successful career. With the growth of Bangladesh in the global digital economy, CSE students who are proficient in English will surely gain a head start over those who are not.
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The writer is Assistant Professor of English at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka